41 years later still get the chills.... wish it was the same USA, though. 😔

yes! I get chills and I’m Australia. So inspiring. ✨

I was there at the time I don't think the networks had this kind of replay coverage and I had forgotten the details on how the game ended in a tie so watching this - one goal behind with 29 seconds left my heart was in my mouth that we weren't going to make it

Yes BILL BAKER started the roll to the Gold Medal _

Leicester city winning the pl is in the conversation. Only other thing I can think of though. Truly remarkable.

yeah Russia is always the bad guys, no one cheers for them. lol

Edward Francis it was sweet. I was closing down the Crnter Cafe in Healy Basement in the night of the Swedish game and got to see the tying goal with CrIg on the bench. This was 1980, so there was exactly one TV in the student center of Georgetown University. Fortunately it was tuned thx game. after that I was hooked, although the local Washington’ DC anchor blurted out the score during a commercial break midway though the Russian game.

Dean Bisbano So was I. I was a Minnesota kid who played hockey as a kid and living in Iowa at the time. I remember around 5:45 pm before ABC aired the game at 7 pm on tape delay, the TV channel I was watching scrolled a message at the bottom of the screen stating that Team USA had just upset USSR 4-3. So I knew who won before watching it, but it was still unbelievable. Two hours after they won the gold on Sunday morning, my buddies who knew nothing about hockey were in my backyard playing hockey on a patch of ice in freezing weather. Later that week, the local YMCA started a floor hockey league, which had never been done before. People in Iowa were clueless about hockey, but after Team USA won everyone wanted to play it. That Russia win jump started kids playing hockey across the country and Americans were finally able to feel proud about something. I will NEVER forget this moment and what it meant...far greater than just a hockey game.

That’s a cool story!

Awesome! I grew up playing basketball in Washington state. I had never heard of or even knew what the sport of hockey was. All I remember was hearing about the USA beating the Russians, and that was good enough for me. My family moved to Minnesota in June of 1980 and my new friends in MN introduced me to Hockey in the winter of 80-81. My knees were black and blue after that winter as I had never skated before, but I absolutely fell in love with the sport - and LOVE playing hockey still to this day! I learned about the "Miracle" that winter and have always loved Team USA and follow them.....

To provide a summary....I bought a Team USA hockey jersey back in 1984 (wish it had been a 1980 jersey), and still wear it proudly every time I can while playing games. Red, White and Blue - all the way!

How could you not heard of hockey in Washington state? There were rinks in Washington. My nephew played in the USA Hockey Midget Nationals in 1976-77 and he played the Seattle Sno Kings and they were goid and from Seattle area.

I can't imagine being there. You were in the right spot for the biggest upset in world sports. Nothing else comes close. Congratulations.

We at www.imasportsphile.com responsible for posting this vintage video along with 3400 more of its ilk on our site.....want you to know we are the foremost experts on "nostalgic history and dialogue of what was happening at the time"......and we know you will find many videos to your liking.

At the Olympic level? Set up an impossible act to follow. The US hasn't won a Gold since Lake Placid. For a supposed hockey power that's a terrible Olympic record. Canada, Sweden, Czech Rep and Russia have all won since. So whats up USA?

metsdudenj the finest moment in US sports history

metsduden, thanks for your comment....for there have been some really incredible moments in US olympic history....from Al Oerter to Mary Lou Retton to Eric Heiden to Jesse Owens to Mark Spitz to Bill Johnson to Greg Louganis to Billy Mills et al....all of which I have Olympic footage of each these great American performers posted in at www.imasportsphile.com in our Olympic section....but I have to agree without a doubt....this was not only the "finest moment in US Olympic history".....but probably the finest moment in US sports history like MrDuds1984 so aptly stated in his corresponding comment.

MrDuds1984, thanks for your comment to metsduden....cuz after this lil ole chiweenie Sportsphile has thought about your comment....I cannot honestly think of any other moment in US sports history that even compares to the significance and impact that this Gold Medal victory by a group of non-professional young men accomplished over teams laden with professional players like Russia, Sweden and Finland had on their team....for this was certainly the greatest upset of all time....and truly "the finest moment in US sports history".....and since you enjoyed this video, click on my webpage www.imasportsphile.com where I have currently posted 1500 vintage sports, comedy and music videos....and have 9,000 more to post....with tons of Olympics content.

You're forgetting, if you ever knew 1960 at Squaw. Oh, and 1972 which I personally, viscerally remember. Then, of course, Mark Spitz and Eric Heiden. Does anyone have any idea what those two did.............?

Finest moment in American sports history. Nothing else comes close. A bunch of kids beat the best hockey team in the world. Unbelievable, but true.

55 here same.

I was there at the time I'm the networks had replay coverage so this is the first time I've seen something like this and I've long since forgotten the details on how it ended up with a tie but even now with 29 seconds left my heart was in my mouth that we weren't going to do

I'm not sure the networks had replay

We at www.imasportsphile.com responsible for this post along with 5000 more posts from this era of sports, comedy and music want you to know that we are glad you enjoyed the post....cuz we agree with you on how this event lifted up the American spirit when it was greatly needed.

We at www.imasportsphile.com who are responsible for posting this vintage video along with 2500 others from the same era appreciate your service and agree with you....as our Bone Daddy, the original Sportsphile dittos your comment about pride....for pride in America never comes cheap....and therefore the pride continues to grow as time passes.

John Mildner: I did 30 years in the US Army, I would have at least said "God Bless America", not "Go Bless America". Whom is supposed to bless America? I am proud of America, and have always said God Bless America. There is even a famous song, "God Bless America". Have you ever heard of it?

I thank you both for your service to our country

God Bless the USA! Thank you for your time serving this great country, sir!

I am about your age and grew up in Greater Boston. If all the players who played and were NCAA hockey aged and played NCAA and not Jr and played out their eligibilty you would have seen a much more talented team that might not have even medaled. .lol. Baker in net instead of Craig possibly. Langway, Roberts, Dunn on D. Meaning Christian plays forward and Suter is cut along with one of Baker, Ramsey/I'Callahan. Langway, Roberts, Morrow & Dunn would have been the clear top 4 at that time. Up front Mullen and Gorence would have meant a strong chance Schneider or Eruzione were cut...lol

You must mean Warren Strelow, the Mahtomedi HS hockey coach. There was little film or media about him, but phenomenal goaltending was a huge factor in “The Miracle.”

Great comment Hop....for we at ImaSportsphile responsible for posting the 2100 vintage videos in addition to this one on our webpage....just love it when a viewer expresses their "emotional ties" to one of our treasure chest of vintage memories....for this was a truly epic and historic moment in American Olympic history

Yes, it was, and here's my personal recollection: I was on my high school's basketball team, and when this news broke we were going through warm-ups on the court before our game. My friend's dad came up to the sidelines and told his son that our hockey team had beaten the Soviets. He said, "Sweet!" and then turned and told me. Even as 'youngsters' we felt the magnitude of it, and that memory has lasted.

Scott Buckmoyer, thanks for your comment....cuz you are "spot on" with how big of an upset it truly was......for that young bunch of bucks layed open the big Russian bear....but to call it bigger than Cassius Clay vs Sonny Liston....or Buster Douglas vs Mike Tyson....or Villanova vs Georgetown....or Jets vs Colts....or many many others.....but it is surly at the top....and when I get comments whereby the viewer obviously enjoyed one of the 1400+ that I have currently posted at www.imasportsphile.com.....it just spurns me onward to post the remaining 1900 hrs. (9,000) that I still have to post.

Can someone tell me why the Finland flag isn't being raised in the medal ceremony? Didn't USA beat team Finland in the finals? Or did they beat the swedes?

It was actually a medal round back then. No semifinals or gold/bronze medal games. That was just a last game of the medal round. Finland finished fourth eventually. We had to wait our first medal until 1988 olympics. :)

Exactly. The Russians (Soviets) had annihilated a more talented team of pro-hockey players a few months earlier. They also beat the same USA team 2 weeks earlier 10-3, and they felt like they could have actually scored even more goals. Needless to say, the USA team were huge underdogs.

@@coledavlan1711 No Finland in The Final ! Every Game counted + points from the Games ! So You needed to Win Most or ALL THE GAMES ! Now it is Different - They changed it to Cup formation !

Every.co.petitive game mattered. Norway and Romania were gimmies but Sweden, Czech, W Germany were all huge before the medal round. I believe US was down 2-0 to W. Germany.

Reed, the reason we have posted 2300 vintage videos like this one on our webpage at www.imsportsphile.com....is simply for comments like yours.... where folks have fond memories of where they were at moments like the Miracle on Ice.

debut no popularized yes. There have been other instances before this, including one of the olympics in the 70s where there were USA chants

@@limitedbom2206 prove it.

@@Rokinray The film Olympia: Festival of Nations, documenting the 1936 Summer Olympics, includes the chant during the finals of the 1,500 meter event and the long jump.[4] It was also documented at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, during the basketball tournament final between the United States and the Soviet Union.[5] In 1979, the chant was used in Budapest when the national men's teams of Hungary and the United States played against each other.[1] or if you are not a fan of wiki: www.mic.com/articles/82081/how-did-the-u-s-a-chant-start-here-s-the-history-behind-america-s-greatest-sports-anthem

@@Rokinray yet you'll accept gostate's assertion without question. ok boomer

@@sketin I accept hhis assertion because I have watched every Olympics since 1968. The USA chant only ever sounded genuine during the hockey tournament at Lake Placid. Anyone else should have their tongues cut out for the disrespect.

Hooah Minnesota, thanks for your comment....for it is at the top of the heap of the thousands of "one word" comments that I have ever received....and it just simply sums up how every American sports fan felt when our "young bucks" beat down the "big bad Russian bear" on ice in Lake Placid....and since you enjoyed this video so much....check out the 1400+ vintage sports videos that I have currently posted at www.imasportsphile.com....plus I have another 9500 yet to post....so stay tuned.

We at www.imasportsphile.com responsible for posting this video along with 4800 + more on our site....are just happy that you still have hearing in your right ear....cuz we've got 7000 more to post.....and since these were recorded on Sony Betamax cassettes....we'll probably have more with a few glitches.....but it's the video that matters.

KMK7355, thanks for that thought....cuz in this lil ole chiweenie Sportsphile's opinion....nothing means more to me in regards to inspiring me to continue posting this incredible 2300 hrs. of vintage sports, comedy and music at www.imasportsphile.com ....is totally encompassed in your comment...for when a viewer says a certain moment in sports where "the impossible dream comes true" that brings back fond memories....makes my daunting task worth it all....so stay tuned. FYI, it is my intention to spend time in the not too distant future in writing about the sports commentators, analysts and announcers from back in the day of these videos....who are still bringing sports memories to we sports fans still today....like Chris Bermen, Rich Eisen, Marv Albert, Brent Musberger, Vin Scully, Vern Lundquist, Bob Ley, Dick Enberg, Al Michaels et al.

KMK7355, thanks for your comment.....and sorry for my delay in responding....as I have had my head in the sand posting 1400 videos of vintage sports, comedy and music on my webpage at www.imasportsphile.com....where I have already posted hundreds of Olympics video that I am sure you will enjoy....plus I have 1900 hrs. of content left to post....so stay tuned.

ABC did show this game live. However they went to commercial when Phil Verkota scored the game tying goal. Of course you're not going to see it here when Al Michaels said "a good thing happened when we were away at commercial. The US scored!"

Russia refused to play a night game so it was a day event and shown primetime in a replay by ABC

Nobody thought they could actually win it. If you played this game 100 times the Soviets would win 99 of them.

This recap was played during the closing ceremony show. They went thru and highlighted all of the great moments from the Olympic Games.

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he felt it would be hypocritical to celebrate with the team in which he was cast as the villain! he wasn't very close to the team and that's the way he wanted it!

You need to be a athlete first fighting for everyone but yourself to even ponder any thought about it!! FUCKIN SCHMOOZE !!

He wanted the moment to be about the players.

@@jamessollazzo2966 He later stated that he wanted the moments to be for the Players.

Canuckalo, thanks for your comment....for we at ImaSportsphile generally expect that Canada has a better hockey teams than the USA....especially since it is your national sport and kids all over the country grow up playing the game....like Brazilian and Mexican kids grow up playing futbol.....and yes, at least to date, it is a once in a life time thing....but if we were Canadian....we wouldn't hold our breaths on the future.

I would expect such a stupid comment from a canuck.

Bosox, I'm from Greater Boston abd plaed some HS hockey in a Middlesex League town in the early 70's. That US Team only had to really pull 1 upset. That Czech team they beat had beyond terrible goaltending. In fact at the 1979 Worlds a team made up of about half the 1980 Team and a collection of US NHL players tied Czech 2-2, with Craig in net. I followed NCAA Hockey as I graduated in 1977 from college. I felt they absolutely could medal. Granted didnt think Gold, but they were a talented young team. However they played a Pre Olympic schedule that basically mimicked an AHL level schedule, so they weren't college players anymore.

KMK7355 No US Team has played that grueling of a schedule leading up to the Olympics. They really gelled as a team. Now, NHL players get together for a few practices before the games begin. It just doesn’t seem the same. I had heard Craig played rock solid in the Worlds. On a separate note, Myshkin wasn’t a bad goaltender. He actually shut out the NHL All-Star team leading up to Lake Placid.

Jim Nagle, thanks for your comment....for since you enjoyed this video...we know you will enjoy many more of the 1500+ vintage sports, comedy and music videos that have been currently posted at www.imasportsphile.com....where we post more of the remaining 9,000 that we will be posting over the next 5 - 6 years....so, bookmark our site and don't rely on utube....as we will have 100+ different channels on the tube that act as a weigh station for our webpage.

How can I contact you regarding your videos? I would like to discuss your 1980 Lake Placid Olympic coverage.

And with Finland winning, USA might have finished even 4th.

the swede goalie was pelle lindberg who played for the flyers and tradically got killed on new years eve in the mid 1980's in a car accident!

Really? That's all you get out of this video?....you are an idiot

И именно поэтому это называется чудом на льду ... потому что правда, что некоторые из российских хоккейных команд занимают лучшие команды, чтобы когда-либо лететь. Если вам нравятся винтажные виды спорта .... тогда вы будете любить нашу веб-страницу по адресу www.imasportsphile.com I imenno poetomu eto nazyvayetsya chudom na l'du ... potomu chto pravda, chto nekotoryye iz rossiyskikh khokkeynykh komand zanimayut luchshiye komandy, chtoby kogda-libo letet'. Yesli vam nravyatsya vintazhnyye vidy sporta .... togda vy budete lyubit' nashu veb-stranitsu po adresu www.imasportsphile.com

Only seven, are you sure? Didn't the Mayre [spelling] Bros. win one?

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Dryden was too much of an intellectual to hate anybody. I am sure he wanted the USA to win but I doubt he saw it as life and death. or got caught up in politics.

Sara Sturm that’s unreal!! Yeah I remember the day I was born. It was all warm and wet like being in the ocean in the Caribbean. And it was pitch black. I mean you couldn’t see a thing. Then all of a sudden...bright lights like “whoa turn the sun off” bright and there’s blood in my eyes and then some plunger up my nose and my brain is just spinning from what’s going on. Then some old balding dude grabs me by the feet hangs me upside down and starts beating my wet bloody ass like I’m a piñata. Craziest day of my life. Remember it like it was yesterday.